Saturday 18 October 2014

Homespun Pursuits

I've been slowed down on the gallivanting front this week due to a lack of sleep. Frankly I'm knackered. Not due to any joyous or exciting activity, just bloomin mighty menopausal temperature swings. Just thought I'd share that. I suspect some of my blogging chums may empathise.

Anyhoo, moving on. Rugs. The homemade kind. I've finished my first, peg loom rug. I know, so exciting isn't it? Life in the fast lane.


This is it just after 'liberating' the rug from the loom.


Finished and 'installed'. Also above, showing the peg loom in all it's finery, as requested.


I am pretty pleased with it. I got my inspiration from an Irish Crofter's room set, during last year's Wool Week at Somerset House. Our bedroom now has that curated feel, ha ha.



More domestic goddess activity, in the kitchen this time, with home made soup. Actually I saw a post on Rosemary's blog which spurred me on to harvest the last tomatoes from the greenhouse.


I added more chilli, celery stalks and leaves and a few other bits and pieces, but essentially used her recipe. My it was good.


18 comments:

  1. The rug looks good - well done!

    Thanks too for the loom pic - but how does it work?

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    Replies
    1. Each of the little pegs has a hole drilled through near the base, the jute string was passed through the holes and the length of each string was double the required rug length. Tied at the end in groups of 3 or 4 strings.I then simply twisted the carded tops (fleece) and passed it around the pegs, front and back alternatively. Once the fleece depth reached the top of the pegs I passed it down the jute strings.
      And that is pretty much it. My friend Ann got me started off, but other than that i sort of made it up as i went along. I would think there are more professional ways of doing it on You Tube if you wanted to have a go. it is simple but surprisingly time consuming.

      Jean
      x

      Delete
  2. Great pics....the soup looks good! And yes I sympathize with you...my hot flushes are horrendous at the moment

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  3. That reminds me, I have a peg loom. Reminded and inspired. Thanks X

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  4. Thank you for the soup recipe, something to try out in the kitchen next week as my jumper goes on, comes off, goes on...

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  5. I know...Are'nt those menopausal temperature
    swings just awful.....Awful...!!! :).

    The rug's looking good...Coming along nicely!
    Shame about the colour! And! can you wipe yer
    feet on it! HeHe!

    mmmmM! Love tomatoes...Especially with garlic
    bread...Of course! What else! I'm a Sicilian! :).
    For Sunday lunch to~day l'm gonna make..Cioppino!
    (Google it)...Basically it's a fish stew! I've been given,
    some crab, mussels, squid, and some prawns..Bought
    some cod...It's a Sicilian dish, taken over to the states,
    in the 20's...It is NOT...NOT...A typical Italian/American
    dish found in San Francisco...Oh! No! They can't take
    credit for that!
    Well! best get on...Still dark..Hate it....Second lemon tea
    me thinks...Don't be late for church...Peace on you all! :>).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cioppino sounds delicious Willie. Buon Appetito.

      Jean
      x

      Delete
  6. Oh I love the peg loom rug and of course now have extreme loom envy! Off to google those now methinks. I an feeling rather warm myself but am putting it firmly down to our Indian summer! Xx

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  7. I still get the wet drippy keep me awake sweats - fifteen years on. I feel I am being punished for something I didn't know I had done.

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  8. I love the rug, must put that on my ever-growing list of things I want to do! Elaine please don't tell me they can last 15 years. I have had 12 months of sweaty sleepless nights and some days I just want to kill someone!!

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  9. Oh Eff! I gave away a peg loom years ago. Now wish I had it as your rug has re-inspired me. Note to self....DONT GIVE ANY MORE CRAFT STUFF AWAY!!! The rug is lovely Jean. If you have more fleece, check out locker hooked rugs. Annie has one that I made in her conservatory. That soup recipe looks divine and is now on my "must make this week" list.
    I can relate to the menopausal miseries although mine are long gone. But, I can still remember the feeling of being totally out of control of my body's thermostat and the misery that caused. Lasted about 10 years as I recall.

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  10. Your rug turned out lovely. I've never seen a peg loom but it looks like it would be so fun. Your tomato soup is perfect for the chilly fall days ahead. We're still expecting some very warm temps down here in Southern California. How I long for winter..Have a great week!

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  11. I am pleased that you enjoyed the soup, it gives such a rich colour and lovely deep flavour - mind you a chilled soup might have been more appropriate given the way you were feeling.

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  12. Impressed on both scores. Sympathies for the hot flushes :o)

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  13. I'm really tired all the time lately.

    That rug's truly impressive, you're a creative genius!

    The soup....tomato is my favourite, so I've 'borrowed' the recipe too.

    Have a wonderful evening x

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